|
Perhaps the defining event for holding off the incursions of the Magyars into central Europe, the Battle of Lechfeld (10 August 955) was a decisive victory for the forces of the future Emperor Otto the Great over the Magyar leaders, the harka (military leader) Bulcsú and the chieftains Lél (Lehel) and Súr. Located near Augsburg, the Lechfeld itself lies along the Lech River.
Otto had managed to gather about him approximately 10,000 heavy cavalry, in order to fight against the 50,000 or so Magyar light cavalry. After Otto approached the Magyar force he was outflanked by a number of Magyar cavalry, so that his smaller force was caught in between two much larger forces, which should have led to his defeat. However the flanking Magyar force dismounted to loot the German baggage train. Consequently Otto was able to send part of his force to sweep over these dismounted troops, resulting in their annihilation. With this accomplished his combined force charged at the Magyar line. Despite a volley of arrows from the Magyars (which were mainly deflected by the German shields) Otto's army smashed into the Magyar line, and began to sweep over it. Bulcsú attempted to feign retreat with part of his force, in an attempt to tempt Otto's men to break their line in pursuit, but it was to no avail. The German line maintained its form, and routed the Magyars from the field. The captured Magyars were either executed, or sent back to their ruling prince missing their ears and noses.
|
